Dr. Ciara Reynolds:

On the numbers question, I wholly agree with Dr. McAvoy. Among those who gamble more regularly, including those who have gambled in the past year, the rates of problem gambling, low-risk and moderate-risk gambling double. A number of groups are disproportionately affected, which carries through into the childhood data.

The ESPAD data are quite worrying. Only four countries have had a higher rate of sport or animal betting gambling prevalence than Ireland of the 33 countries that took part in the ESPAD, and only two countries had a higher or similar use of slot machines. All these data are very concerning and show the direction we are going in adulthood, as Dr. McAvoy said. Moreover, they indicate the types of gambling that children and young people have a tendency towards, and they help to inform where the protection measures can be placed.

Advertising and sponsorship most greatly affect those who have experienced problem gambling and children, who have not only a higher recall of gambling advertising but also a higher intention to bet after seeing advertising. These vulnerable groups are affected disproportionately by advertising.